Search - Judy Collins :: True Stories & Other Dreams

Secret Gardens Await Inside. . .

J Keistler | Lake Jackson, Texas USA | 12/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I always thought of this as Judy Collins's saddest album, now I don't know why, unless it's the cover photo! This is indeed an album of its times. "Cook With Honey" is certainly catchy, fitting right in with other 'nature-pop' songs of the era. I can remember years ago seeing her perform the "Fisherman" song on the Muppets! For me, the landmark song on this album is "Secret Gardens". Even after all these years, the poetry of this song, the perfect melding of music and lyrics, still stuns me. It truly reads as well as it sounds! I've always been surprised at the minimal notice this recording received. I learned, many years later when reading her memoirs, that at the time of the recording of this album Ms. Collins was suffering from a growth in her throat and had surgery shortly afterward. Apparently this was only one of many stressors in her life at the time. I think many of the songs on here reflect that. Another jewel in the Collins anthology."

More Beautiful Collins Music

H. F. Corbin | ATLANTA, GA USA | 07/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought the LP of TRUE STORES AND OTHER DREAMS years ago when it was first released but recently had been humming "Secret Gardens" and purchased the CD. The song, written by Ms. Collins, is as beautiful now as it was 30 years ago when she first sang it. I have never understood why it hasn't received more praise. It's theme is so universal: no one grows old in our memory and flowers bloom forever. The CD also has "Cook with Honey" by Valerie Carter, sometimes included on "Best Of" recordings, along with "So Begins the Task" by Stephen Stills. The creme de la creme, however, is the music written by Ms. Collins, herself. In addition to "Secret Gardens," three other songs are included: "Holly Ann," a moving song about Ms. Collins' younger sister, "living north of San Francisco;" "Song for Martin," Judy's lament for a friend who committed suicide--"I know I let you down"-- and finally "Che," an anthem-like song in praise of Che Guevara that will put chills on your spine: "You have it in your time/You have it in your hands/To own your lives/To own your lands."



Ms. Collins has the rare talent of taking ordinary words and making them into something magical and beautiful. Her very personal lyrics-- though never maudlin-- achieve the universal. But then, that's what good poetry does; isn't it?



Another fine Collins CD."

JUDY'S TRUE PEAK!

DC Fan | USA | 03/16/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"TRUE STORIES AND OTHER DREAMS is my favorite of Judy Collins' albums. It shows how creative a songwriter (not that she wasn't before this!) she is when she takes some to think in reagards to songwriting (she spent an extended period of time alone in Long Island to write songs for this album.) Songs like "Fishermen Song," "Secret Gardens," and "Holly Ann" are truly majestic tapestries of words and music. "Che," with it's string and horn arrangements, couldn't have sounded more political than it did, as of course, it is geared to Che Guevara and is another highlight. I believe the best track on the album, however, is "Cook With Honey," a song she did not write but one (seemingly!) that subtly spoke of the hippie mentality of unity and harmony within a group of people yet is perfect as the lead-off track on the album, just as "Che" is a perfect closing! To me, if one were a first time venturer into the music of Judy Collins, TRUE STORIES is the place to start!"